216 NortH Caro.ina Troops, 1861-’65.

Carolina, and said: ‘Pretty close call that, Mr. Johnston.
What do you think now of the Yankee cavalry’s fighting qual-
ities ?’ And the rest of the day we enjoyed ourselves. We
could see everything for miles around. The country was en-
tirely open. The day was beautiful, clear and bright—19
September. They would form for a forward movement—
three lines, one after another—march sedately along until
they got within touch of our lines, then raise a hurrah and
rush in a charge, and in two minutes the field would be cov-
ered with running, flying Yankees. There were 45,000 in-
fantry, 10,000 cavalry and 3,000 mounted gunmen. The
thing began at daylight and kept up till dark, when, flanked
and worn out, Early retreated to escape being surrounded.
This is the story of the “Thin Gray Line of North Caro-
lina,” and the cavalry charge, a feat of arms before which Sir
Colin Campbell’s “Thin Red Line” at Balaklava fades into
_ insignificance.
Braptey T. Jomnson.

Batmore, Mp.,
19 Sept., 1864.

Norr.—The above is an extract from a very interesting address by
General Johnson.—Ep.